Meeting of Brockhampton Group Parish Council at 7:30PM on Wednesday 15th January 2025 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU (///upon.surfacing.outfit)
Minutes 01/2025
Present: Clive Brazier (Chair), Pete Stoddart (Parish and Ward Councillor), Viv Burdon, George Johnson, Gwen Dumpleton, Peter Lane, Nigel Shaw
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk)
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Clive Brazier opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
No apologies were received.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests: With reference to items on the agenda councillors are reminded of their responsibility to declare interests and to update their register of interests as required.
Noted.
3.2. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests: To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
George Johnson declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in items 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4.
3.3. Other Interests: To declare any Other Registerable Interests or Non-Registerable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Viv Burdon declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 7.2.
3.4. Dispensations: To consider any written dispensations from councillors who have declared an interest but wish to stay in the meeting during that time to aid discussion / speak / vote.
Nil received.
4. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. Ward Councillor
Pete Stoddart circulated a full report that would be made available on the parish council’s website.
4.2. Bromyard Downs Common Association
No matters were reported.
4.3. Bringsty Common Manorial Court
No matters were reported.
4.4. Footpaths Officer
An update was received under item 8.4.
4.5. Hereford Green Network
It was RESOLVED to remove HGN updates from future agendas.
4.6. Public participation
No questions were received.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 20th November 2024
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Progress reports
6.1. Councillor vacancies
It was noted that there were two vacancies on the parish council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
6.2. Memorial to Dr David Boddington
It was noted that a replacement tree is due to be planted shortly.
6.3. Requested speed limit for The Downs Road
It was noted that the request for a lower speed limit was under consideration and traffic data will be collected accordingly.
A suggestion was made for using white gate traffic calming features at either end of the common. It was RESOLVED to review grant funding opportunities (potentially available 2025/26) and to consult the BDCA and Herefordshire Council on the proposals.
7. Planning
7.1. To receive an update on the Brockhampton Group Neighbourhood Development Plan
An update from Herefordshire Council regarding the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was considered.
7.2. To consider an update on the feasibility study for the potential employment land adjacent to Linton Industrial Estate and to review engagement with stakeholders
It was noted that proposals concerning the Linton Industrial Estate and the Worcester-Bromyard-Leominster walking route were under review. When the report was concluded, consideration would be given to contacting the relevant landowners to discuss the proposals.
7.3. To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council:
7.3.1. P242742/F: Brockhampton Primary Academy Bringsty Worcester Herefordshire WR6 5TD. Proposed demolition of existing modular classroom and construction of new classroom block with associated access, extension to school to form additional SEN facilities.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections to the proposals. The parish council query if the proposals would increase the number of pupils attending the school and, if so, how the school intend to handle the additional traffic and parking generated.
7.3.2. P242467/F: Land at Three Oaks Farm Stonehouse Lane Bringsty Herefordshire WR6 5TF. Proposed self-build, Passivehaus, carbon negative Class 3 dwelling house (to replace a mobile home) to serve Three Oaks Farm. In the form of a permanent dwelling with an agricultural occupancy condition. Amendment to approved application 231533.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council were in support of the proposals.
7.3.3. P243058/F: Buckenhill Wood Norton Bromyard Herefordshire. Retrospective planning application for the retention of timber woodland workshop structure.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council object to the proposals. There is insufficient justification for siting a permanent structure in open countryside which is not intended for either agricultural or forestry purposes.
7.4. To note responses made under delegated authority for the following applications:
7.4.1. P241742/L: Turnpike Cottage The Downs Bromyard Herefordshire HR7 4QW. Proposed works to renew the guttering and downpipes.
It was noted that the following comments had been submitted under delegated authority:
Brockhampton Group Parish Council considered this application under their delegated authority arrangements and are supportive of the proposals but suggest that consideration is given to using genuine cast iron guttering instead of plastic.
8. Highways, Public Rights of Way and Lengthsman
8.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule
No matters were reported.
8.2. To consider the routine schedule for Lengthsman work
A Lengthsman schedule of work was approved.
It was RESOLVED to add additional Public Rights of Way items to the work schedule.
8.3. To consider quote(s) for drainage maintenance (Local Drainage Fund)
It was RESOLVED to accept the quote from John Poyner at £1,248.00 (including VAT). It was noted that additional grant funding was available to undertake further work if required.
8.4. To consider an update on PRoW maintenance and furniture installation (Public Rights of Way Grant Funding)
It was noted that one stile was due to be installed by a landowner, and two finger posts and one further stile would be installed by the Lengthsman.
It was RESOLVED to make enquiries with Whitbourne Parish Council for information on their recent footbridge replacement project.
Thanks were extended to the Clerk for his work on the grant applications.
9. Parish matters for discussion/decision
9.1. To consider minor revisions to the Planning Delegation Policy
It was RESOLVED to adopt an updated Planning Delegation Policy.
10. Correspondence
10.1. Herefordshire Council: Baton of Hope 2025
The above correspondence was noted.
11. Finance
11.1. To consider the appointment of an Internal Auditor
It was RESOLVED to appoint Iain Selkirk at £150.00 to undertake the internal audit.
11.2. To consider and approve the budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
11.3. To consider and approve the bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
11.4. To approve the following invoices for payment:
11.4.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses)
11.4.2. HMRC (PAYE)
11.4.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension)
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
11.5. To note the following payments made between meetings under delegated authority:
11.5.1. 16/12/24 David Hunter-Miller (Dec salary and expenses)
11.5.2. 16/12/24 HMRC (Dec PAYE)
11.5.3. 16/12/24 Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (Dec pension)
11.5.4. 16/12/24 George Johnson (Lengthsman): £15.00
11.5.5. 16/12/24 Bromyard Community Transport (donation): £100.00
The above payments were noted.
12. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Fibre broadband provision (Linton)
• Update on Herefordshire Council Local Transport Plan (LTP) and Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)
13. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Wednesday 19th March 2025.
The meeting closed at 9:08PM.